United States: The judge overseeing the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially dismissed the charges against him. Furthermore, in a break from the stance taken by the Trump administration’s Justice Department, the judge ruled that these charges cannot be refiled. 

Judge Dale Ho stated that while he harbored concerns about the Justice Department’s reasoning for dropping the case, his legal authority did not allow him to compel federal prosecutors to move forward with the charges. 

In his ruling, Judge Ho criticized the Trump administration’s motives, pointing out that the decision to drop the case coincided with efforts by the White House to strengthen its influence over the Justice Department and federal prosecutors, according to reports by CNN. 

Judge dismisses corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and, in a split with the DOJ, orders that charges can't be refiledhttps://t.co/vjtVj4ZjSP

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) April 2, 2025

The Justice Department’s handling of the case led to a wave of resignations, including that of the acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York, as well as key officials overseeing public corruption cases. 

In a strongly worded 78-page opinion, Ho firmly rejected the Justice Department’s argument that the prosecution was politically motivated and interfering with the mayor’s ability to implement Trump’s immigration policies. 

“Everything about this situation suggests a trade-off: the dismissal of an indictment in return for concessions on immigration policy,” Ho wrote. He further stated that the Justice Department’s actions were troubling because they implied that public officials could receive special treatment if they aligned with certain political agendas. “Such an idea contradicts the core principle of equal justice under the law.” 

A spokesperson for the Justice Department defended its decision, stating, “This case was a clear example of political manipulation and an unnecessary use of resources. Our priority remains on prosecuting criminals and ensuring the safety of Americans.” 

Eric Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, welcomed the ruling, saying, “This case should never have been brought forward in the first place, and today, it is permanently closed. From the beginning, Mayor Adams has insisted on his innocence, and now justice has been served for him and the people of New York,” as per CNN. 

Judge Ho emphasized that dismissing the case without prejudice would have created the impression that Adams’ freedom depended on his willingness to enforce federal immigration policies, potentially making him more accountable to Washington than to his constituents. 

Adams, who faces re-election this year, was indicted in September on charges of bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and illegally soliciting campaign donations from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors. He pleaded not guilty. 

Prosecutors alleged that Adams’ misconduct dated back to 2014, during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President. According to the indictment, he accepted luxury benefits such as hotel upgrades, fine dining, and other perks from a Turkish official. In return, he allegedly pressured a New York City Fire Department official to approve permits for a Turkish consular building that had previously failed inspection. 

In February, the Trump Justice Department recommended dropping the case following a meeting with Adams’ legal team in Washington. Then-acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove justified the decision by stating, “The ongoing prosecution has unfairly hindered Mayor Adams’ ability to focus fully on addressing illegal immigration and violent crime, which escalated under the previous administration’s policies.” 

This decision led to a series of resignations among Justice Department prosecutors. In her resignation letter, former acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoon, stated that Adams’ attorneys had repeatedly suggested a quid pro quo arrangement—implying that the mayor would assist with federal enforcement priorities only if the charges were dropped, according to CNN. 

Both Adams and Bove denied any such agreement took place. 

Judge Ho sought external legal insight and consulted conservative attorney Paul Clement for an evaluation of the Justice Department’s request. Clement recommended full dismissal, arguing that leaving the charges open would create the impression that the case could be revived at any time, placing undue pressure on the mayor. 

“A dismissal without prejudice would leave the specter of prosecution hanging over the accused, akin to the Sword of Damocles,” Clement wrote. “A complete dismissal eliminates that concern and upholds the fundamental principle of accountability within the separation of powers.” 

Ultimately, Ho ruled to permanently dismiss the charges against Adams, ensuring they could not be used as political leverage in the future. 

“This decision prevents any scenario where the indictment could be used as a tool to control the mayor or the city,” Ho stated, as per CNN. 

Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, who previously met with New York Governor Kathy Hochul during deliberations over Adams’ future, remarked that the ruling should eliminate any perception that the mayor was under federal influence. 

“This takes away the idea that he was under the president’s control,” Sharpton told CNN. “Now, whatever he does will be judged on its own merits.” 

Judge Ho clarified that his ruling should not be interpreted as a statement on the validity of the allegations against Adams. He emphasized that public opinion—not his own—would ultimately determine the mayor’s fate. 

“Transparency in decisions like this allows the public to engage with these issues through democratic channels,” Ho concluded.